Chapter 28: First Half
"Ohhh! Oh my God! What a beautiful goal! No one could have expected this! Just one minute into the match, and there's already a goal! This is the fastest goal in this season's League Cup! Simeone! Simeone! After receiving a pass from Galado, the Italian veteran scores! Mallorca is in trouble now!"
Simeone turned and embraced Galado, who had assisted him. Mallorca's fans in the stands were dumbfounded...
The match was broadcasted by ESPN, who quickly showed a slow-motion replay—Galado made a swift breakthrough, bypassing Soler and N'Gonga, and then delivered a beautiful through pass. Pujol drew Nadal's defense, while Simeone quickly shot at the penalty spot before Nino could close him down. Though Franco managed to get a hand on the ball, he couldn't stop it from flying into the net...
Conceding a goal just one minute into the game was undoubtedly a huge blow. To concede a goal in a two-legged home game was almost like falling behind by two goals...
Even if Mallorca could score two goals to win 2-1 at home, it wouldn't be much better than a draw!
The Mallorca players were a bit dazed—conceding a goal so quickly was not part of their plan...
That was until a loud shout woke them up.
"What are you standing there for? Did you forget what I told you before the match? Attack! No matter the situation, attack! Didn't I tell you that you might concede goals in this game? Don't forget who you are! You are professional players! No matter the situation, you need to stay calm and play the game! Damn it!"
José was pacing the sidelines, angrily scolding, his voice even reaching the fans in the stands. At first, the fans were stunned, but as they listened, someone in the crowd started clapping, and soon the entire stadium echoed with loud applause!
"That's right, José is right! It's just one goal, we'll score another to equalize!" a fan shouted loudly, and his voice sparked a chorus of agreement among the surrounding Mallorca supporters!
"Come on, guys, let's get the score back!" N'Gonga, the captain on the field, clapped his hands and yelled.